: Re: How can I avoid a predictable plot? When writing a novel, authors generally don't want the reader to know how things will end. This is especially true of mystery novels, but obviously applies

@Carla500

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Of Course, All Endings Are Predictable
There's a bit of a problem with your premise that because an ending is predictable then the story must be boring.
I think everyone knows that all murder mysteries will end with the detective capturing the criminal, but readers keep on reading them.
I think all readers know that by the end of a novel the basic conflicts will be resolved, but we seem to see the old axiom at play here:

Focus on the journey, not just the destination.

Readers are enjoying the journey.
A Very Unexpected Story
Independence Day : Part 3 - New Aliens Arrive

Friday, February 19, 2019
That's the day the mother ship blacked out
the sky over 10 major cities above the Earth. Finally, an alien
emerged flew down to great the President of the United States.
The alien stood in front of the President and point a ominous looking tool at her. "We come to fix everything," the alien said. "Our technology will eradicate all your
disease
and provide you with unlimited energy."
"Thank you so much," said The
President.
Everyone lived happily on Earth with the new alien friends
and many people even traveled back to the aliens planet. It was all
very happy.

That story is very unexpected, but it is also boring.
But now that I've been ridiculous, I will try to offer some advice.
The Real Thing Readers Want Is : Conflict

Readers want an interesting character.
An interesting character is one who wants something above all else: a goal.
The goal must be realistic. By realistic, I mean given the setup, the context, the setting, the character herself, the reader must believe that the character really wants this thing.
The goal must be obvious to the reader. Do not make it something
like, "character wants to be happy". Make it a stated and specific
and physical goal of some type.
Readers want to see the character try to get the thing she wants so badly.

But to keep readers reading there has to be conflict.
So, here's what you do.

Setup up a goal.
Set up milestones that the character will have to hit to get to the
goal.
Show the character failing to hit the milestones all through the
book.
As the book progresses, make it so it seems as if the character will never be able
to attain the goal.
All the while, you must have a character that the reader cares about.
Otherwise when the character fails the reader will think, "ah, I
don't care, the character deserved failure."
Finally, at the very end, have your character make a break-through
that gets her to the goal.

All of that could be considered predicable, but if the character fails over and over then your reader will care and believe when you finally get your character to the goal.
And the reader will have enjoyed the journey.

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